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The way tech companies are today, no matter how groundbreaking and excellent the monitoring technology, the UI will completely fail on the accessibility needs o

The way tech companies are today, no matter how groundbreaking and excellent the monitoring technology, the UI will completely fail on the accessibility needs of the biggest audience: adults 50+

johngossman 3y ago
I'm guessing you've had many of the same experiences I have of trying to help elderly parents. The tech industry is way too focused on young people and cool design.
- cratermoon 3y ago
  And personal experience, during a period of, thankfully temporary, disability.
  - jeffbee 3y ago
    You were over 50 but then you recovered?
    - cratermoon 3y ago
      There are many things in life that can disable a person for a time. With proper care, healing and rehab, abilities can be regained. In the mean time, many experiences that were formerly unexamined bring valuable insights. As Cindy Li observed, "We’re All Just Temporarily Abled" <https://blog.jim-nielsen.com/2023/temporarily-abled/ https://blog.jim-nielsen.com/2023/temporarily-abled/>
foobiekr 3y ago
50+ includes half of GenX, many of which are more sophisticated technologically than their successors. 60+, yeah.
- cratermoon 3y ago
  It's not about tech saavy. It's about the slow decay that is life. You could be Bob Metcalf, Doug Englebart, and Marty Cooper all wrapped up into one, but none of that will suffice to overcome the challenges of the aging body.
  - DennisP 3y ago
    As someone in my late 50s, with friends around the same age, our only accessibility issue is an occasional need for reading glasses.
    - cratermoon 3y ago
      You've lived fortunate lives if you've never experienced mobility or perception issues sufficient to interfere with daily life, even temporarily. Not a single broken leg, black eye, torn ligament, not even a sprained ankle. Never experienced the joy and trails of pregnancy.
      - DennisP 3y ago
        Sure I've been injured, but that's not due to an "aging body." I got injuries in my 20s, but I don't attribute that to aging. Most people wouldn't put pregnancy in that category either. Besides, a sprained ankle or whatever doesn't much affect your ability to use tech.
- Mountain_Skies 3y ago
  You could be in your 50s and have used computer tech since your youth in the 80s and still hate the current UI holy war against scrollbars and contrast.

The way tech companies are today, no matter how groundbreaking and excellent the monitoring technology, the UI will completely fail on the accessibility needs of the biggest audience: adults 50+

johngossman 3y ago

I'm guessing you've had many of the same experiences I have of trying to help elderly parents. The tech industry is way too focused on young people and cool design.

cratermoon 3y ago
And personal experience, during a period of, thankfully temporary, disability.
- jeffbee 3y ago
  You were over 50 but then you recovered?
  - cratermoon 3y ago
    There are many things in life that can disable a person for a time. With proper care, healing and rehab, abilities can be regained. In the mean time, many experiences that were formerly unexamined bring valuable insights. As Cindy Li observed, "We’re All Just Temporarily Abled" <https://blog.jim-nielsen.com/2023/temporarily-abled/ https://blog.jim-nielsen.com/2023/temporarily-abled/>

foobiekr 3y ago

50+ includes half of GenX, many of which are more sophisticated technologically than their successors. 60+, yeah.

cratermoon 3y ago
It's not about tech saavy. It's about the slow decay that is life. You could be Bob Metcalf, Doug Englebart, and Marty Cooper all wrapped up into one, but none of that will suffice to overcome the challenges of the aging body.
- DennisP 3y ago
  As someone in my late 50s, with friends around the same age, our only accessibility issue is an occasional need for reading glasses.
  - cratermoon 3y ago
    You've lived fortunate lives if you've never experienced mobility or perception issues sufficient to interfere with daily life, even temporarily. Not a single broken leg, black eye, torn ligament, not even a sprained ankle. Never experienced the joy and trails of pregnancy.
    - DennisP 3y ago
      Sure I've been injured, but that's not due to an "aging body." I got injuries in my 20s, but I don't attribute that to aging. Most people wouldn't put pregnancy in that category either. Besides, a sprained ankle or whatever doesn't much affect your ability to use tech.
Mountain_Skies 3y ago
You could be in your 50s and have used computer tech since your youth in the 80s and still hate the current UI holy war against scrollbars and contrast.